Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Gorgeous paddle session surrounded by nature with our NIXY Inflatable SUPs

This is an exquisite plant whose name I was able to find on Google this morning, but promptly lost the link. Those in the know (@throwingsofas) might nudge me in the right direction.

The blossoms are silvery-white, with very thin petals, as you can see from an example in the upper left. The rest of the plant is literally covered in little iridescent beads [Google iridescent bead flowers and prepare yourself for the biggest crafts' fair on the internet].

There are pods which contain both ruby beads and colorless beads, But the rest of the plant is encrusted with the colorless variety. I have to believe this is some form of water collection system for the plant, though I can only guess at this point.

They are unimaginably beautiful to see strewn along the path like a trail of polished gems. As we are likely to say anytime we take a picture -- the photo doesn't do them justice.

Leave it to the OC to build a combination automobile/bicycle/pedestrian path, each with its own lane, along a three mile stretch of the upper portion of the Newport Bay.

But that is exactly what they did.

The trail is all asphalt, with a few very small offshoots into dirt "nature" trails. The place is beautiful, really, but I have to put a fly in the ointment here and divulge one of the OC's dirty little secrets. Somehow or another, a heavy portion of refuse has washed back into the bay and now litters various spots along the trail. It does not overwhelm the area (as you see here), but it definitely gives one pause to reflect.

That aside, the refuge is home to all manner of wildlife -- Ospreys, Snowy Egrets, Herons, Terns, Seagulls, Ravens, crabs, lizards, frogs, wildflowers of an incredible variety, and all the insects they attract.

There really is no elevation gain to speak of, nothing but the 6-mile round trip to give it even a hint of hiking bona fides. But it is a very pleasant way to drop down from a 16-mile noggin' poacher like the long route at Crystal Cove.

We added a second "hike" at another relatively flat nature preserve to round out the day.

But more on that later.

Kunjungi Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Activities

Panduan Perjalanan di Newport Beach

Tempat populer untuk dikunjungi

Arena Pameran Orange County

Nikmati pemberhentian di Arena Pameran Orange County, tempat hiburan untuk dikunjungi di Costa Mesa. Jalan-jalan di sepanjang pantai yang indah di area cocok untuk keluarga ini, atau kunjungi restoran pemenang penghargaan.

Lyon Air Museum which includes interior views and aircraft

Museum Angkasa Lyon

Lihat sejumlah mesin terbang paling langka yang tersisa dari Perang Dunia Kedua dan pelajari tentang peran Amerika Serikat dalam sejarah penerbangan.

The LAB Antimall

Selama kunjungan Anda ke Costa Mesa, Anda dapat mencari oleh-oleh terbaik di The LAB Antimall. Jelajahi pilihan hiburan di area dapat ditempuh dengan berjalan kaki ini, atau nikmati aktivitas tur.

Muth Interpretive Center

Anda dapat menghabiskan waktu menjelajahi pameran di Muth Interpretive Center di Newport Beach. Jalan-jalan di sekitar pantai cocok untuk keluarga area ini dan nikmati kedai kopi yang menarik.

Newport Beach Vineyards & Winery

Anda dapat menikmati aktivitas mencicipi makanan atau tur di Newport Beach Vineyards & Winery selama perjalanan Anda ke Newport Beach. Jalan-jalan di sepanjang tepi laut area ini, atau cukup nikmati restoran pemenang penghargaan.

Sunbrite Pools

Berinteraksi dengan alam dan jelajahi aktivitas outdoor di Sunbrite Pools selama perjalanan Anda di Newport Beach. Jalan-jalan di sekitar pantai cocok untuk keluarga area ini dan nikmati restoran pemenang penghargaan.

Opsi Penginapan Terbaik Dekat Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Newport Beach Marriott Bayview

500 Bayview Cir Newport Beach CA

OC Hotel Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa CA

Best Western Plus Newport Mesa Inn

2642 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa CA

Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel

4500 Macarthur Blvd Newport Beach CA

Sunset Inn

2100 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa CA

Hampton Inn by Hilton Costa Mesa Newport Beach

2070 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa CA

Pendry Newport Beach

690 Newport Center Dr Newport Beach CA

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach

1107 Jamboree Rd Newport Beach CA

Hilton Irvine/Orange County Airport

18800 Macarthur Blvd Irvine CA

Lihat total 4.411 properti di Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Harga per malam terendah yang ditemukan dalam 24 jam terakhir berdasarkan pencarian 1 malam untuk 2 tamu dewasa. Harga dan ketersediaan dapat berubah sewaktu-waktu. Ketentuan tambahan dapat berlaku.